Middlesbrough - fan's 2008/09 Premier League preview
Wednesday, 06 Aug 2008 15:45
Middlesbrough - fan's 2008/09 Premier League preview and predictions
A supporter's views and expectations for the 2008/09 season.
Last season
Premier League: 13th - P 38 W 10 D 12 L 16 GF 43 GA 53 GD -10 PTS 42
FA Cup: Quarter-finalists - lost 2-0 to Cardiff
League Cup: Third round - lost 2-0 to Tottenham Hotspur
The manager
Many would safely agree that this year is the most important that Gareth Southgate has faced since being in charge of the team.
A lot of fans gave him the benefit of the doubt over his first year in charge, putting any mistakes down to inexperience. Before the start of last season he was struck by the double blow of losing the club's leading scorers, an issue that the side didn't really recover from until the signing of Afonso Alves in January. However, this time it's different.
Old players who were clogging up the wage bill have been shipped out, while more signings fitting Southgate's manifesto of 'young, fit and hungry' have been brought in.
This is very much his squad now so if they don't perform, he will be responsible.
Chances of managerial change?
Being backed by one of the best chairmen in the Premier League will help Southgate's cause. However, if no improvement from previous years is seen Steve Gibson may have no choice but to wield the axe.
The players
Exits
The two remaining players from the side that lifted the Carling Cup in 2004 were the biggest names to leave, with Mark Schwarzer heading to Fulham and George Boateng moving to Hull City.
Fabio Rochemback - who could both thrill and frustrate in equal measure - agreed a move back to Sporting Lisbon, while Lee Cattermole has gone on the hunt for first-team football at Wigan. Some may be unhappy to see the academy graduate leave, but a failure to progress since his breakthrough into the first-team squad made the £3.5 million offer too good to refuse.
Finally, other players including South Korean 'striker' Lee Dong Gook and former world-class midfielder Gaizka Mendieta also took a walk through the 'out' door.
New arrivals
A need for changes to the midfield was increasingly evident last season, with a lack of pace and creativity particularly being felt on the right-and side.
Dutch under-21 star Marvin Emnes could be set to fill that hole, with his presence expected to add a touch of pace and trickery to the side's attack.
The only other signing so far is that of holding midfielder Didier Digard. The former PSG and France under-21 star is set to drop into a Boateng-sized space in the centre of the park.
Both players have showed impressive touches in recent friendlies, with Digard grabbing a goal and putting in a particularly eye-catching display against Carlisle United.
Needs
The departure of Mark Schwarzer and the subsequent availability of the likes of Scott Carson and Paul Robinson has had many fans screaming for a new goalkeeper. However, Southgate is convinced that either Brad Jones or Ross Turnbull should be able to claim the number one shirt.
Elsewhere, some supporters would like to see more cover at left back, while there are still hopes that more quality midfield reinforcements may be on the way.
The fanbase
Too many times last season supporters had the pleasure of watching Boro put in excellent performances against the big sides but fail to turn up in games against lesser teams. This will have to change if fans are expected to turn up week in, week out.
Supporters would like to see the side start with a more attacking slant when playing at home too. There were times last year when Boro showed they could play entertaining football, so more of that certainly wouldn't go amiss.
Prediction for 2008/09
My heart says top, as what's the point in entering a league if you aren't going to aim to win? However, my head is hoping for a top-ten finish and bragging rights in the north-east. A season which sees the team free of any concerns related to relegation would also be nice.
In addition, a better showing and even a European place through either the League Cup or FA Cup would go some way to erasing memories of the embarrassingly inadequate home defeat to Cardiff City in the latter rounds last year.
Rob Dixon